A Word from Pastor Jim

I want to start this by telling you that this is a true

story. Really! A few weeks back my dog celebrated

his 10th birthday. As it happened, I was in a store a

few days before that and saw this card with some

sort of bull terrier on the cover. It happened to be a

birthday card. On the cover, in big letters, it read

“S’UP”!” as in an abbreviated slang version of

“What’s up!” Inside it read something like: “Heard

it’s your birthday. Just sayin’.”

So, I figured that I’d pick it up and send it from

“Mommy & Daddy.” I really meant it as something

goofy that would give my wife Karen a laugh. Well,

Karen saw it on my desk before I had a chance to

write anything on it. She thought I picked it up early

for our nephew in Arizona, and I had to explain to

her that it was for our dog, Dickon. She thought that

was stupid!

Now I have to tell you that Dickon is a very

attentive dog. He watches TV with us and seems to

read the credits at the end of a show or movie.

Honest. The theme music starts and he watches the

words go by. He also is very interested in the

(Continued on page 2)

July 2018

Table of Contents

A Word from Pastor Jim pg. 1-2

Office Notes pg. 3-4

Events & Meetings pg. 5

Academy for Laity pg. 6

Vacation Bible School pg. 7

Mark Cable / Great Night Out pg. 7

Fellowship Events pg. 8

Missions & Ministries pg. 9

United Methodist Women pg. 9

60+ pg. 9

Ongoing Collections pg. 10

Prayer Focus pg. 11

Sunday Schools pg. 12

Preschool pg. 13

Personal Notes & News pg. 14

Birthdays & Anniversaries pg. 15

Community News pg. 16

Word Find Puzzle pg. 17

Clyde’s Nature Note pg. 18

2

Weekly Bulletins

Please help keep us current.

If you know of anyone who

should be added to the

Prayer List or whose name

can come off, please notify

Pastor Jim or the office.

weather map during the news. There are certain shows that he likes, though there are others

for which he could care less. Sometimes he’ll watch golf with us.

Anyway, back to the card! There is a story about a dog who showed up at a telegraph

office many years ago. When it was his turn in line, he handed a note to the telegraph

operator to send a message. It read: “Woof woof woof. Stop. Woof woof woof woof. Stop.

Woof woof. Stop. Woof woof woof woof woof.”

After reading it, the operator said, “You know, you can get one more ‘woof’ for the same

price.” To which the dog replied, “Yes, but that wouldn’t make any sense!”

So, I wrote a similar message on the card, and signed the card “Love, Mommy & Daddy.”

Maybe then, knowing the joke, Karen would get a laugh!

When the birthday morning came, I snuck (sneaked?) the card

downstairs and placed it on the coffee table. About a minute later

Dickon came downstairs sensing that I would be leaving soon. He

threw me a glance and went straight to the coffee table where his

birthday card was propped up against some books. He immediately

started poking at it. He knew it was his. We can leave food on the

coffee table and he won’t touch it, but he wouldn’t leave the card alone!

He’s not so good at opening things (we have to help him with

Christmas presents too), so I opened it for him and read it to him. He would poke at it and sit

there with a big grin on his face. You would have thought it was the best thing he ever got!

And it was just a little card.

So, why am I telling you this? Simply that I thought you would enjoy it! —Oh, and to

remind you that Little Things Mean a Lot! What can you do to make someone’s day?

All Christ’s Love... and mine!

The Pastor is In

Monday through

Thursday

other hours by

appointment.

Please contact Pastor

Jim directly if you wish to

meet with him.

(cell and text)

Interested in Becoming a Member of Hope Church? See Pastor Jim!

3

Church Staff

Pastor................................................ Rev. Jim Bongard

Secretary .......................................... Cheryl Morris

Music and Bell Choir Director ........ Lisa Helock

Organist ............................................ Lorena Gockley

Sexton ............................................... Doreen Deamer

Office Hours

Monday through Friday

9am – 1pm

717-738-3774

2018 Planning Calendar

Please fill out the yellow forms on

the Secretary’s desk to schedule

Committee, Council, and Ministry

meetings and events.

Sunday School Teachers Needed

We need volunteers for the months of July and

August. Two teachers are needed each

Sunday and we can help you with the

curriculum. Please use the sign-up sheet on

the table in the lobby if you are able to teach

Sunday School for children ages 2 through 5th

grade during the summer.

If several new people sign-up, then you would

only have to teach 2 times during the summer.

Contact Jodi Seifert, Barbara Tucker, or Sandy

Schmid. Thanks for your help!

Christian Education Committee

New Website

Same address; new look! Our website is getting a thoroughly modern make-over, thanks to

Nicholas Helock! We’ll be fine-tuning it after it goes live in early July, so please take a look at

it and give us your ideas for improvements.

Contact Cheri Van Zant, Don Miller, Nicholas Helock, Pastor Jim or Cheryl

about the website, and Missy Van Zant about the Preschool section.

www.HopeUMCEphrata.org

Altar Flowers & Bulletins

Sponsor altar flowers or bulletins to

commemorate a special occasion!

These dates are still available:

Flowers: July 29

Bulletins: July 1, 22, 29

$35 Altar Flowers ⚫ $20 Bulletins

The posters are in the lobby and have

plenty of dates available!

New Directory

Pastor Jim reports that it

should be out soon!

Please notify the church

office if you change your

phone number, address,

or email address,

New Keys

The church building

doors will be

re-keyed and new

keys will be issued

to those who need

them later this year.

New Parking Lot Coating

The parking lot will be repaired, sealed,

and repainted sometime this summer.

The work will be scheduled so that

there will be minimal interference with

other activities at the church.

4

Campfire Anyone?

On the 4th Friday of Every Month through October • 7pm until...

Paul Trella and Tony Hachkowski will host a campfire (weather permitting) behind the church

near the GaGa pit. All are welcome (friends, neighbors, etc.) If you want to roast hot dogs or

marshmallows, bring the food you want to roast and the enjoy the fire. If you have a music

talent (guitar, harmonica, grand piano, or ?) and would like to share campfire songs, please

feel free to do so. (July 27th, August 24th, September 28th, October 26th)

United Methodist Night at The Phillies

July 21st • Saturday • 7pm to 10pm Citizens Bank Park

Join hundreds of Eastern PA folks from across our

conference at the ballpark to root for the Philadelphia

Phillies as they beat the San Diego Padres. The conference United Methodist Men have

once again arranged for us to buy discounted tickets, with $10 off each ticket we buy

supporting their men’s ministries. Ticket prices range

from $20 to $47.

Check out the “Methodist Night” webpage

at www.phillies.com/methodist. To order your tickets,

click on the green “T” icon and enter the promotion

code METHODIST.

Place your order now!

Tickets are subject to availability.

For groups of 25 or more, please contact Jen Leone

in the Phillies Group Sales Office at 215-463-5000,

extension 5267. All groups of 25 or more will be

welcomed on the Phillies side auxiliary message

boards at the top of the 5th inning.

Turtles!

Check out Clyde’s Nature Note on the back page for the details of

the Eastern box turtle nest in front of the church office. To make

sure you steer clear, look right across from the office door to see

2 yellow pencils in the mulch marking the off-limits area … and

hopefully, a turtle crossing sign. Please don’t tread on the turtles!

Cheryl Morris witnessed the thrilling event and we have her to

thank for the action photo here and on Clyde’s page.

Hmmm… this just really gets one to thinking… what about names?… what kind of

snacks would they like on Fellowship Sunday?… turtle-sized bulletins… what about……..

☺

5

Weekly Events

Prayer Shawl

No Meeting

Women’s

Book & Bible Study

No Meeting

Men of Hope

Men’s Study Group

No Meeting

All Groups

Resume in September

Monthly Events

Holy Communion

July 1st

1st Sunday Giving

July 1st

collection for

Assistance Fund

during worship

Fellowship Sunday

July 15th a special time

for fellowship and snacks

after worship

Newsletter Deadline

Monday, July 16th

5th Sunday Giving

July 29th

collection for Stacey Everline

(BCM International)

during worship

United Methodist Women

No Meeting

60+

No Meeting

July

National Blueberry Month

National Hot Dog Month

National Picnic Month

Independence Day Wednesday, July 4th

Vacation Bible School

Sunday, 8th - Thursday, 12th

National Ice Cream Day Sunday, July 15th

Full Moon

(The Full Buck Moon) Friday, July 27th

Church Administration Meetings (6:30pm unless specified)

• Monday, July 16th .................... WPCM (Weekday Preschool Children’s Ministries)

• Tuesday, July 17th ................... Church Council (7pm)

• Thursday, July 26th .................. Security Team

• Tuesday, July 31st ................... Regeneration Team

• Monday, August 6th ................. SPRC (Staff-Parish Relations Committee)

6

Academy for Laity ♦ August 3-5

Quakertown UMC, Quakertown

Registration deadline is July 15th.

The theme for this year’s Laity Academy is

“Pass It On – Spreading God’s Word Through Action.”

Additional information is in the lobby and online at ww.epaumc.org/ministry/lay

12 Classes Offered:

• The Basic Course – The

Journey Begins

• Speaking 1: Preaching to be

Heard

• Hablando 1: Predicando para

ser Escuchado

• Speaking 2: Preaching by

Number

• Emotional Intelligence: A

Blueprint for Your Spiritual

Path

• Timeless Spiritual Gifts In A

21st Century Context

• Maximize your Message and

Ministry through Media and

Marketing

• Making Every Prayer

Count: Moving from ME to

WE

• Disability Ministry and the

Body of Christ

• Pastoral Care: What to Say

To People Who Are Hurting

• Addiction Recovery through

the Power of Prayer

• Restorative Justice

7

7pm Friday

August 3rd

Singer, songwriter, and humorist, Mark Cable, will be

in concert at Hope Church! Mark is an accomplished

guitarist and has released 17 CDs while touring

fulltime for over 25 years. Insightful everyday-life

songs along with his off-the-wall sense of humor have

stirred audiences across the U.S. to laugh, to cry, and

to think about the things in life that matter most.

We need volunteers!

Sign-up sheets are in the Lobby.

Questions? Ask Pastor Jim!

Vacation Bible School A Holy Land Adventure!

July 8th - 12th

Sunday through Thursday

• 6:30pm - 8:30pm

► 6pm Sunday for Registration

► 6pm Thursday for Light Dinner

2 More VBS Workshops

Fellowship Hall

• Tuesday, July 3rd & • Thursday, July 5th

• 1:00 - 3:00pm

To Donate -

Thank you to everyone who donated! Cindy Kamide still needs three

Christmas tree stands to hold 5” diameter palm trees from the city of Babylon.

Featured Charity -

Our VBS charity is Ephrata Area Social Services, to benefit the children of our community.

Register Online -

8

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Fellowship Events

• Fellowship Sunday • July 15th

Fellowship Time follows morning worship service on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Do

you have a special snack that you enjoy? Bring it for all of us to enjoy on Fellowship Sunday!

As a congregation, we are all responsible for the goodies we munch on while we visit and

catch up with each other. So write it in your calendars: “Bring a snack to share at church!” (In

lieu of a snack, drinks and paper products are appreciated, too.)

─ Thank you for taking part in Fellowship Sunday!

• Church Picnic • August 5th

• Bonfire & Carol Singing • December 7th

9

Missions and Local Ministries (Formerly Outreach Committee)

• Baby Bottle Boomerang

We collected $342.48 to benefit Ephrata Pregnancy Services. Thank you for your donations!

• One Great Year of Sharing (Good Samaritan Shelter) • until March 11, 2019

This year-long mission project benefits Good Samaritan Services. Their work is based on

Christian principles and ascribes God’s power to help residents through their struggles.

They provide safe, comfortable housing for individuals and families experiencing

homelessness in Lancaster and Chester counties. Their primary goal is to help them find

work, save money, and move into permanent housing.

The donation jar is in the back of the Sanctuary. So far, we raised $196.15. Thank you!

United Methodist Women

• No Monthly Meeting in July or August

Mission u • July 20-21 • The Inn at Reading, Wyomissing

Registration deadline was June 20th.

Late registration is an additional $25; please check first for availability.

Additional information is in the lobby and online at www.epaumc.org/?s=mission+u

The purpose of Mission u is to help church members (lay and clergy, adults and youth)

understand and interpret the global mission of the church and the responsibility of Christians

within that mission; to provide information about the work of United Methodist Women; and to

offer an integrated program of Mission Education, Christian Social Action, and Program Planning.

60+

4th Wednesday of Every Month • 12pm (except January, July, and November)

To register for any events or if you have questions, contact Tony Hachkowski at 738-2788.

• July • No meeting.

• August 22nd • Wednesday • 10:45 am Hope UMC parking lot

“Music in Time” Musical Review at The Timbers Restaurant & Dinner Theatre in Mt. Gretna.

Leave Hope Church at 10:45am and return between 4-4:30pm. The lunch buffet is 11:30am

and the show begins at 1pm. $26.

Please contact the church office or Tony for information and availability.

Preregistration is required. Deadline is July 15th.

• September 26th • TBD

10

Ongoing Collections

• Food

Boxed and canned food is collected and delivered to EASS (Ephrata Area Social Services)

every month, to help those in need in our community. Look for the collection baskets under

the coat rack by the library.

• Box Tops for Education

We collect these labels so Henderson Settlement and Redbird Mission in

Kentucky can buy school equipment. Put them in the red & white container in

the coat rack area.

• Tony’s Recycling Center (bin behind the shed)

Drop off any metal that is recyclable: aluminum siding, soda cans, wiring, motors, light

fixtures, bicycles, etc. Please, no steel food cans. There are very few food cans made with

aluminum (some cat food cans, for instance). If in doubt, please present a

sample to Tony Hachkowski. No glass, paper or plastic, please!

☺

Do you ever wonder what happens with all of the metal that ends up at Tony’s Recycling

Center behind the shed?

Starting in 2014, Tony has been quietly hauling away tons

of metal for the betterment of Hope Church … more than

EIGHTEEN and a half tons!!!

So far he’s raised $4,042.50.

There is still $642 in the bank for future repairs

or purchases.

A bag of cans here, some old metal appliance there, and before long Tony is loading his van

and Hope Church benefits.

Thank You to ALL who donate and a big Thank You to Tony for his continued gift of

his van, time, and manual labor! And another big Thank You to those who

help the cause with their trucks, trailers, or lend a hand to load them.

$1,500. toward the roof.

$1,250. purchased a used riding mower

$500. for a grass catcher for the mower

$100. toward the playground

$50. for mower repairs

30,500. lbs. of iron

1,046. lbs. of aluminum cans

256. lbs. of copper

+ 5,426. lbs. of other metals

37,228. lbs. Total

11

~~~~~~~~~~~~ PRAYER FOCUS ~~~~~~~~~~~

Pastors carry a tremendous burden. They need others to support them with continuous unceasing prayer. God has called us to love them, encourage them, follow their leadership and to pray for them. Our prayers and support can lead to a joyful Spirit-filled shepherd who confidently leads us into a deeper relationship with God and one who shows a passion for revival and reaching the lost.

~~~~~~~~~~~ PRAYER POINTS ~~~~~~~~~~

• For God to anoint the pastor to preach and teach with boldness, truth,

and grace.

• For a servant’s heart toward the people.

• To win souls for Christ and teach others to do the same.

• For strength and protection physically, spiritually, and mentally.

• The pastor would walk humbly with God, seeking His will and

direction in all things…

• Your own prayer for the pastor as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray.

SCRIPTURES Jeremiah 3:15; Romans 10:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Jeremiah 29:11

July Prayer Focus

Our Pastor

12

Summer Sunday School - Children

The children’s classes combine for the summer.

Summer Sunday School - Adults

• 10:30am · Sanctuary

July 1. 8, 15, 22, 29

The adult classes meet

in the Sanctuary to see

Andy Stanley's video

"Right In the Eye," and

follow with a discussion.

• August 5 - Church Picnic (NO Sunday Schools)

• August 12 - Guest Speaker: Russ Eberly (Hopeland UMC)

• August 19 - Our Speaker: Sue Fisher (Hope UMC)

• August 26 - Guest Speaker: Nate Hoffer (CEO of Good Samaritan Shelter)

Regular Sunday Schools • 10:30am

Elective • Room 226 • Rev. Kevin Readman

New Beginnings • Fellowship Hall • Various

Seekers • Parlor • Bruce Tucker

Wide Awake • Room 221 • Ron Lindberg

Other Weekly Happenings

• The Children’s Message

• Choir

• Bells of Hope Choir

• Women’s Book & Bible Study,

• Men of Hope - Men’s Study Group

• Prayer Shawl Ministry

"It's my life, I can do what I want, when I want, with

whom I want . . . as long as nobody gets hurt."

In this proactive 6-part series, Andy Stanley

plunges viewers into the moral mayhem

depicted in the Old Testament book of

Judges. Employing his remarkable gift for

storytelling, Andy presents disturbing biblical

narratives as a filter through which to view and

evaluate our own twenty-first century culture.

13

Preschool News

Dear Hope Families,

Summer fun at Hope Preschool! Hope Preschool

offered summer camp for children ages 18 months

through grade four, with tons of summer-fun

activities for all ages!

This year, our campers enjoyed art projects,

water play days, camping activities, picnics and

more! As session one wraps up, our teachers

and staff will be busy painting the MDO

classroom and the preschool hallway.

Following VBS, Hope Preschool looks

forward to welcoming campers to our

session two summer camp and the

set-up of our new library location!

There is much happening at Hope

Preschool this summer.

Roasting hot dogs for lunch!

Please stop down and check out what we’re doing!

Blessings,

Miss Missy

Missy Van Zant, Hope Preschool Director

14

Notes from Our Hope Family

Dear Hope Church Family,

My brother and I would like to thank everyone for their prayers & concern following our mother, Belle’s,

death. We also appreciated the many phone calls and cards throughout her illness. We know many

people visited her during her stay at Ephrata Manor and we are grateful for those who took time out of

their day to brighten her day! We also appreciate all the people who planned and worked at the funeral

luncheon. August will be the 50th year that we have attended Hope and I know that Mom treasured all the

people we have met over these many years. ~ Thank you, Carol Peters and Larry Peters

Volunteers Needed!

We need volunteers to help support important missions in our area. Please contact Peter’s

Porch, Meals on Wheels, or see Pastor Jim or Bruce Tucker to find out how you can help.

• Peter’s Porch - Summer vacations mean less help, and they would LOVE to have more

volunteers. Pack grocery bags, sort clothes, or help serve meals!

• Meals on Wheels - Volunteer drivers are needed. Call 717-733-4846.

• Water Street Mission - Volunteers are needed to help serve meals.

Card Showers

We celebrate these impressive milestones and hold secret card showers. Please check with

the church office or look in your mailbox for a Top Secret notice on colored paper.

Ryan Trella - Thank you for the cards you dropped off by June 24th! Please continue to drop

off Get Well cards every few weeks or as you wish, since he will be will be receiving

treatments at intervals for awhile. Please place them in the Trella’s mailbox. Thank you!

Congratulations!

Rev. Steve Morton, former Hope UMC Pastor, is the new

Supervisor of the *North District of the Eastern PA

Conference of the United Methodist Church. His official

installation ceremony will be on September 8th.

* Last July, the 415 churches within the Eastern PA

Conference were divided into four new districts, from the

previous six districts. The North District includes the 113

churches located north and due west of Allentown.

Gretna Glen Tabernacle ♦ 7pm Every Sunday until August 26th

Please check the bulletin board behind the coffee serving area in the Lobby for a listing of

upcoming programs. Programs may include a mass chorale, bell ringers, or a brass band.

15

July Birthdays

1 June Kohl

2 Reed Lagaza

Jack Smith

3 Michael Trella

Jonathan Willier

6 Abby Rohr

9 Dennis Howe

Lynn Miller

Dave Schmid

10 Ryan Lindberg

Sammantha Seifert

11 Morgan (Strohl) Fox

Grace Jefferson

13 Chloe Peuler

16 Bonnie Seidel

Paul Trella

17 Jim Bongard

Barbara Griffith

18 Kris Powers

Barry Smith

20 Isabel Sweigart

21 Izabella Vasquez

23 Dennis Deamer

Alan Noll

28 Emily Beamesderfer

31 Marie Lindberg

We apologize if we made ANY errors with your important dates! Please let us know right away so we can correct them.

Early August Birthdays

2 Charlie Anderson

Everett Fasnacht

9 Richard Hackman

12 Jim Strohl

15 Dick Imhoff

Wedding Anniversaries

Joe & Laurelin Accardo celebrate their.6th anniversary on July 7th

Dennis & Cheryl Eckert celebrate their.54th anniversary on July 11th

Ron & Doreen Raezer celebrate their.55th anniversary on July 14th

Dion & Alyssa Deamer celebrate their.7th anniversary on July 23rd

Craig & Ann Beamesderfer celebrate their.27th anniversary on July 30th

Terry & Cheryl Morris celebrate their.5th anniversary on August 6th

Jim & Ilene Bartlett celebrate their.30th anniversary on August 8th

Thomas & Arielle Susco celebrate their.7th anniversary on August 12th

Dennis & Doreen Deamer celebrate their.41st anniversary on August 13th

Teal Hackman joined Our Lord on June 15th.

(daughter of Richard & Lila Hackman and sister of Taryn Firestone)

Remembered With Love

Wedding Congratulations!

Jesse Weaver & Emily Beamesderefer were married June 2nd.

16

Lancaster County Office of Aging

The latest edition of Prime Time, the newsletter

of the Office of Aging, is available online at

www.lancoaging.org. Click on “About Us” to find

their current and archived newsletters.

Community Help

Peter’s Porch · 3rd Saturday Every Month • July 21st • 8 - 10:30am

Hosted by Zion Lutheran Church (435 Main Street, Akron), Peter’s Porch distributes a hot

breakfast, free clothing, household appliances, and a free bag of groceries to local families in

need. Volunteers are necessary to keep this ministry going! They’re needed on:

• Wednesday, July 11th • 6-8pm (pack food & sort clothing)

• Wednesday, July 18th • 6-8pm (sort clothing)

• Saturday, July 21st • 7-10:30am (serving and running)

Please talk to the Pastor or Bruce Tucker for more details on how Hope Church can help, or

call Zion Lutheran Church at 859-2100. The number of volunteers needed each time varies;

please call to make sure that help is still needed on the day that you wish to volunteer.

Blessings of Hope Food Boxes • every Wednesday • 11:30am - 2:30pm

Boxes of food are available to all in need from the Blessings of Hope ministry (New

Covenant Church of God, 111 East Chestnut Street, Ephrata). Questions? Call 733-8833.

Volunteers are needed for this local food distribution ministry. Their vision is to keep spare

food from companies and grocery stores out of the landfill and into the hands of the hungry.

Ephrata Community Meals • every Thursday • 6pm (doors open at 5:30pm)

July: Bethany United Church of Christ (140 East Main Street, Ephrata), 733-9608.

Employment

Home Instead Senior Care

We are currently hiring part-time caregivers.

Immediate openings for meaningful part time/

flexible work. Competitive wage, no experience

necessary—paid training provided. Must have

valid drivers license, own vehicle, car insurance,

and clear background check. Please see the

bulletin board in the lobby.

www.homeinstead.com/589 or call 717-207-0755.

DANIEL

LION

DEN

COURAGE

BABYLON

NEBUCHADNEZZAR

HANGING GARDENS

FIERY FURNACE

SHADRACH

MESHACH

ABEDNEGO

GOD SAVES

HOLY LAND

REUBEN

SIMEON

LEVI

JUDAH

ISSACHAR

ZEBULUN

DAN

NAPHTALI

GAD

ASHER

JOSEPH

BENJAMIN

CHAMELEON

GAZELLE

OSTRICH

OX

Word Search Puzzle Words

17

18

Hope’s Box Turtles

by Clyde McMillan-Gamber

In the morning of June 21st, Cheryl Morris saw a female Eastern box turtle on the mulch by the stepping stones in front of Hope Church. Cheryl took pictures of the turtle and noticed she laid two eggs in a nest she dug out with her back legs in the mulch. Cheryl said the turtle covered her eggs with mulch and was gone that afternoon. Those turtle eggs will incubate in the sun’s heat in the mulch and the baby box turtles will hatch in about 60 days. The youngsters will be a bit larger than a quarter at birth, and on their own. Box turtles mature in about five years. In June, local turtle species, including box turtles, lay eggs in nurseries they dig in sand or loose soil. Apparently, mulch also suits box turtles. Large box turtles produce two or three clutches of eggs each summer, with about five eggs in each one. Box turtles are beautiful reptiles and their genders are distinguishable. Males have orange or yellow scales on their heads, necks and front legs, red irises, oblong top shells and concave bottom shells. Females are less colorful, have brown irises, round upper shells and flat lower ones. Box turtles’ domed top shells are made of backbone and ribs and their bottom ones grow from sternum bones. Lower shells have hinges that close those shells tight, protecting the turtles. Upper shells have orange or yellow patterns that camouflage box turtles on partly-shaded, woodland floors. Box turtles live on woodland floors in the Eastern United States. They consume earthworms and other invertebrates, berries and anything else edible. In fall, these cold-blooded creatures hibernate for the winter in insulating soil under fallen leaves in woods. Box turtles are a vulnerable species that lost much woodland habitat to human activities. Some are killed on roads and others are taken to peoples’ homes. All turtles, and other wildlife, should be left in the wild! Box turtles are protected by law in Pennsylvania. Watch for the baby turtles at Hope Church this August. If found, they should be released in a bottomland woods where they belong.

Hope

United

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10:30am Sunday School

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717-738-3774

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3474 Rothsville Road

Ephrata, PA 17522

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